Joe Biden Will Choose a VP Nominee Based on His Own Criteria.

[MineralMan]

Our input is not required, nor is it useful, to be quite frank.

I'm hearing people now suggesting Governor Whitmer of Michigan. She is needed in Michigan right now.

In 2016, I remember people calling for Oprah Winfrey and even a popular, but completely inexperienced attorney, who is now in big trouble. Someone who makes the news in a good way at the moment is not the person who should be chosen as a VP nominee. That simply isn't how it works.

I admire Governor Whitmer very much. But, we need Democratic Governors to stay in office more than we need one who is making news to become the VP candidate.

Biden has several potential candidates he's looking at. Any of them would be an excellent choice for him. It's rare that a VP nominee makes much of a positive difference in a presidential election. Typically they are chosen to bring in votes from a particular place or region. Always, they should be chosen because they are capable of moving into the presidency on short notice. That is, by far, the most important qualification.

I suggest we leave Joe Biden to make his own choice, based on his own instincts and advice from his seasoned advisers. Recent news about someone does not make that person a suitable VP nominee.

[groundloop]

1. Somehow I doubt that Biden is really paying much attention to our suggestions anyway.

[MineralMan]

2. That Is Most Certainly True.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. Good advice. There are several highly qualified people he can choose from.

[justhanginon]

4. Well said and I agree wholeheartedly.

VP Biden's choice and having been a VP he knows what is expected of the nominee and has the judgement to pick someone who could potentially take over if necessary.

[honest.abe]

5. I do agree Biden doesn't need any assistance from outside sources in picking a VP..

including your advice not to pick Gov Whitmer.

I would bet money that Gov Whitmer is high on Biden's list of VP nominees and would not be surprised one bit if she is picked, notwithstanding the concern of losing her in Michigan.

Michigan is critical to winning in Nov. Whitmer would almost guarantee a win there plus help with other nearby battleground states.

[MineralMan]

7. I did not advise Biden not to pick her, or anyone.

I am not competent to advise him about anything, actually.

I'm not addressing Joe Biden in my post at all. He doesn't read DU, in any case.

I believe he has named some of his possible choices. I'm sure he's thinking about that choice carefully. I'm happy to leave him to make the decision, based on whatever criteria he is using.

[honest.abe]

12. Ok then it should be fine for others to make pro or con comments regarding VP choices.

As long as they dont mention "Biden".

[MineralMan]

15. It's not for me to tell people what to write on DU.

I write what I want. Everyone else should do that, as well.

[honest.abe]

17. Exactly.

[FailureToCommunicate]

26. It does sorta seem like you are suggesting what DUers shouldn't do. Anyway, if Biden isn't

reading DU then, as you say it may not matter. I for one have learned a great deal recently from the suggestions of other DUers as to their prefered VP candidate.

Speculation is human nature, and in my case at least, educational.

[MineralMan]

27. Does it? I didn't say that in my original post.

I merely expressed my opinion. I told nobody what they should or shouldn't do. I can't do that, since I have zero authority to do so.

[Hortensis]

6. +100. At one time VPs were strictly political choices

made by men in back rooms, often resulting in VPs who were strongly opposed to the ideals and goals the president was elected for.

At one time, VPs might be so disliked, or dismissed, that they couldn't even get in the White House. Most viewed it as a form of retirement on-call to sub for the prez at dinners, funerals and ribbon-cuttings.

It is still that way in the authoritarian, hierarchical white man's party, the current aberration due to a mentally disordered president aside.

Our Democratic Party has advanced. We don't send our spare out to golf his term away. Biden wants an assistant president, someone he can work closely with and trust implicitly. A partnership like that means the choice must be made by the future president and vice president.

And the bad old days of choosing a potential next president based on shallow criteria that'd be more appropriate to marketing a line of sunglasses are over.

[MineralMan]

9. I'm sure there's still some of that going on.

There have been some real doozies picked by those men in back rooms for losing candidates. Sarah Palin, for example. Joe Lieberman was another poor choice, I believe.

I hope politics has learned from those and other examples.

[Hortensis]

11. On the Republican side, yes. Liebermans are what we've left behind.

Speaking of, he STILL hasn't dropped dead. So much for what goes 'round. Now I want the bastard alive to see millions of people choosing to have health insurance through the public option.

[disndat]

8. Thanks for the grandfatherly advice

But a woman would fit Biden's requirements for VP, someone who could take over on Day-1 could only be
HRC, Gov. Whitmer, or Michelle Obama(!!!), a very short list.

[MineralMan]

10. Well, I'm nobody's grandfather, but I am of that age.

Actually, I'm of the age to be a great-grandfather. So is Joe Biden. He has already said he plans to nominate a woman for the job. Good plan, it seems to me.

[hay rick]

13. Here's my useless opinion.

I think VP speculation is harmless and it gives people a chance to give a shout out to the people they really admire. I like to praise the good guys and gals and recognize high-minded, principled public service. Practically all of these people have the drive, focus, and smarts that could earn them substantially more money in the private sector. My short list: Elizabeth Warren and Katie Porter.

[MineralMan]

18. Why do you consider your opinion to be worthless?

We all have opinions. DU is a good place for expressing them, I think.

[hay rick]

28. Sarcasm. In fact, I have the greatest opinions!

Wondering when Joe is going to figure that out.

[MineralMan]

29. Tremendous opinions, no doubt...

[USALiberal]

14. LOL, this is a discussion board, lighten up! Nt

[MineralMan]

16. I see. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for letting me know.

[slumcamper]

20. I didn't know the discussion board was reserved exclusively for matters of a lighter nature.

Can someone please direct me to the "heavier" stuff?

[left-of-center2012]

19. Yep

I'm tired of reading
"It must be this person (or that one)."

[MineralMan]

21. It's fine, I suppose, for people to write such things,

but I'm not sure I see the utility of it. Typically, the suggested VP is someone who recently made the news in a good way. Tomorrow, it will be someone else.

Michael Avenatti comes to mind. Back when he was in the news with regard to the Stormy Daniels business, a number of people even suggested that he be the presidential candidate. Same with Oprah Winfrey. Oprah didn't want the job, really, and Avenatti ended up being charged with criminal behavior.

We pay too much attention to people in the news, and not enough to the real criteria candidates should meet, I think.

[slumcamper]

24. I suspect there is a general restlessness or urgency, even desperation, among many.

And rightfully so. The country is literally at stake. Unfortunately, that anxiety tends to feed impulsivity, and we grasp with hope at every shiny but fleeting object that might offer us comfort and sustain that hope, albeit momentarily.

I'm simply projecting--and confessing--as I often find myself doing the same. My "wish list" has included Michelle Obama, Stacy Abrams, Andrew Gillum, and Al Franken!

In addition to being able to step in, the VP pick must also embody personal qualities that augment our victory in November.

[left-of-center2012]

31. "Same with Oprah Winfrey"

Back at that time I posted that I liked Oprah but wasn't sure she had what we needed in a president.

Many people attacked me,
saying obviously I hate 'women and people of color'.

[Dem4Life1102]

23. Experience doesn't matter in electoral politics.

As most elections have shown experience doesn't matter and any experience argument only benefits Trump.

However, you are right by saying:

Typically they are chosen to bring in votes from a particular place or region.

And would add a particular demographic or constituency.

[JGug1]

25. Governor Witmer

Maybe it is being shut in. Maybe it is the slow recovery from hip replacement surgery done on March 11. (slow, as in I am walking quite well but have some persistent pain that responds fine to Tylenol, so it isn't very bad at ll) In any case, this post, Mineral Man, annoys me. It annoys me for several reasons. One is that, while there are several women who could easily serve well, Senator Warren is an absolute NO GO. I have said this so many times here that I'm sick of saying it. The Mass governor is a Republican. He will appoint an interim Senator. We lose one precious seat until an election occurs and then it is no certainty that a Democrat will be elected. You DO remember Mr. Brown.
The other Senators are possible but WHY? California will reliably vote to elect Biden. So too, will Minnesota. Just who does that leave? Michigan will not necessarily vote to elect Biden. How DUMB would it be to not nominate Governor Whitmer? She presently has some star power and would get some votes from Michigan. Providing there are no skeletons in her closet, she is absolutely the correct choice. As to not giving opinions on who Biden should choose, given opinions is exactly what this site is for.

[Peacetrain]

30. As well he should. I am glad he has committed to picking a woman..

But beyond that, he needs to find the person he can trust the most, who has the experience and expertise to be President..

[treestar]

32. And att I was the height of that theme

Whoever we like in the news today should be president. It’s frivolous.